The Rangers lesson learned by transfer recruits against Newcastle could be the single most important one - Barry Ferguson

They say every day is a school day.

But the lesson learned by the new boys at Rangers on Tuesday might just be the single most important one they’ll ever receive. The emotional send off given to my old mate Allan McGregor must have come as a real eye opener - not just in terms of the size of the club they have joined but, more importantly, the strength of the bonds forged between the fans and the players they respect above all others.

What’s the lesson? It’s that Allan McGregor is so adored by these supporters because the guy is a born winner. And if they want to make the same kind of impact at the club then they will have to show the spirit, desire and hunger that drove Greegsy on from his early days as a young kid until he was a 41-year-old veteran, going grey around the edges.

We’re talking about one of the best goalkeepers Scotland has ever produced. And it’s not just about the saves he made and the dozens of games he won almost single handedly. It’s about what he brings to the team inside that dressing room. It’s about a mentality and a cast iron will to win. He had the full package.

It was no surprise at all to me that, in his last interview as a Rangers keeper, he expressed his regret at not winning enough trophies. He said something about only winning two out of a possible 16 and admitted that simply wasn’t good enough. While other guys might have enjoyed the spotlight of the occasion and lapped up all the adulation, Greegsy was almost going through gritted teeth. He knows Rangers have to be better than this. He can’t accept second best - it’s not in his nature.

And that’s what makes him such a Rangers legend. Yes, people will say he went over the top at times, shouting and bawling and windmilling his arms around